• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

Hardin, former foster youth, to speak at CASA Lunch and Learn

Posted at 8:17 am October 12, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Genesis Hardin

Genesis Hardin

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland will host a free Lunch and Learn titled “Step Up. Speak Up.” featuring former foster youth Genesis Hardin.

The event will be held at the Clinton Community Center on October 23 from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. It is sponsored by Secret City BBQ and Pies, Shop Rite Foods, and Fox and Farley Attorneys at Law.

Hardin, the keynote speaker, spent 13 years in foster care before aging out without a permanent home, a press release said. She is now a student in the University of Tennessee College of Social Work, and she has made it her mission to advocate for children and youth in the local foster care system.

The press release said Hardin has a passion for duly-enrolled youth (youth in foster care with delinquent charges) and believes that all children deserve a voice.

She is a Jim Casey Youth Fellow and serves as a state-wide Ambassador, the South Regional Representative for the Coalition of Juvenile Justice, a TCCY Youth Commission Member, and Blount County Peer Advocate.

“Hardin’s goal is to share her story and inspire communities to rally around their most precious commodity: children,” the release said.

“Step Up. Speak Up.” is a free event and is open to the community. Attendees must RSVP by October 16 to nancy@casatnh.org or (865) 463-6850.

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland recruits and trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in Anderson, Blount, and Scott Counties. You can find out more about CASA of the TN Heartland including information about volunteering for CASA at casatnh.org.

Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Filed Under: Community, Meetings and Events, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: CASA, CASA of the Tennessee Heartland, Clinton Community Center, Genesis Hardin, social work

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Community News

Outdoor Pool to close for season Aug. 12

Indoor Pool to re-open Monday The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool will closed for the season on Monday, August 12, and the Indoor Pool will re-open Monday, July 29, after being closed for a few months for renovations. The … [Read More...]

Oak Ridge announces Independence Day concert, fireworks

The City of Oak Ridge is sponsoring its annual fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, and it is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m. The Oak … [Read More...]

First Oak Ridge Outdoor Festival is Saturday

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department and Explore Oak Ridge are teaming up to host the first-ever Oak Ridge Outdoor Festival on Saturday. The free event will be a day of fun activities at Oak Ridge parks, … [Read More...]

Lavender Festival is Saturday

The annual Lavender Festival is Saturday in Jackson Square. It's the 24th festival and presented by the City of Oak Ridge. It's scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the city's historic … [Read More...]

Volunteer team plans Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival

Volunteers from civic, charitable, and business organizations throughout the community are planning to welcome three renowned storytellers to Oak Ridge for the June 7 and 8 Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival at the … [Read More...]

More Community

Recent Posts

  • ORAU Annual Giving Campaign raises $91,479 in 2025
  • Alan Forbes named director of Safeguards & Security for ORAU and ORISE
  • ORAU and American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation formalize partnership to advance Manhattan Project 2.0
  • Author and Law Professor Derek W. Black to Speak on Public Education and Democracy
  • Anderson County Chamber Headquarters Dedication Set for October 17
  • ORISE announces winners of 2025 Future of Science Awards
  • SL Tennessee Supports New Anderson County Chamber Headquarters
  • ORAU 2025 Pollard Scholarship recipients announced
  • Democratic Women’s Club Hosts State Rep. Sam McKenzie
  • Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Announces 2025 Storytellers

Search Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2026 Oak Ridge Today